Every year, Sports Illustrated inexplicably publishes a full issue of models in bikinis (or body paint). Yesterday, Sports Illustrated revealed this year’s swimsuit edition cover, celebrating fifty years of incredibly picturesque objectification. The Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue is fairly deplorable from a feminist standpoint; plus, it has very little to do with sports. But everyone looks so pretty and happy! Plus beaches, and butts!
The 50th anniversary cover features Chrissy Teigen (right), Nina Agdal (left), and Lily Aldridge (center). Watching this video, in which the models learn that they’ve just achieved SI cover status, is genuinely adorable. It’s pretty endearing to watch the women, who actually seem like close friends, freak out. We almost believe that the three of them hang out topless and take innocent booty pics in their free time. Read on if you, like the entire lady-loving population of America, are interested in learning a little more about the 2014 Sports Illustrated swimsuit cover models.
Chrissy Teigen isn’t just a Sports Illustrated model—she’s a writer, cook, and television personality. And no, she will not be your girlfriend. Teigen’s campaigns include Nike, Billabong, and Gillette. She’s also worked as a recurring contributor on E!, MTV, and FUSE, and made guest appearances on America’s Next Top Model and Watch What Happens Live. When’s she’s not busy being professionally good looking, Teigen likes to flex her domestic muscles on her cooking blog, www.sodelushious.com. You can witness Chrissy’s cooking skills on her Cooking Channel special Cookies and Cocktails.
The 28-year-old Teigen isn’t just a super successful model and part time domestic goddess. She’s also married to John Legend. Teigen and Legend got married last year in Como, Italy. Their wedded bliss can be witnessed in Legend’s music video for the song “All Of Me”, which was inspired by their relationship. FYI, this music video should come with a Valentine’s Day trigger warning for the single and un-beautiful.
At only 21, Danish model Nina Agdal is the youngest of the three cover girls. She made her Sports Illustrated debut in 2012, when she was named the issue’s “Rookie of the Year.” Agdal has modeled for Victoria’s Secret, Macy’s, and Billabong. She also appeared in a 2013 Carl’s Jr. Super Bowl commercial, following the (in)famous footsteps of Paris Hilton and Kim Kardashian. Carl’s Jr. has faced controversy for featuring half-nude, famished models in its oversexed fast food commercials. However, according to Agdal’s twitter, the girl actually eats carbs, which makes her both a more convincing spokeswoman and a bikini model anomaly.
Lily Aldridge, the third and final cover model, has an extremely impressive resume. The daughter of an English artist and a Playboy playmate of the month, Aldridge has been a paid pretty person since the tender age of 16. She’s done a myriad of campaigns, for brands ranging from Abercrombie and Fitch to Coach and Rag & Bone. Aldridge walked in her first Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show in 2009, and officially became a Victoria’s Secret Angel in 2010. She’s been featured in editorials for GQ, V Magazine, Glamour, and Teen Vogue.
Aldridge’s Sports Illustrated cover also happens to be her SI debut. Off the job, Aldridge is happily married to Kings of Leon front man Caleb Followill. The couple met in 2007 at Coachella, and is basically too cool to function—they even named their daughter Dixie. And yes, you read that correctly…this is Lily Aldridge’s post-baby body.